The Angels signed catcher Gabriel Davalillo, considered the top available catcher on the international market, as one of their 18 signings on Wednesday, the first day of the international signing period.
Davalillo, who is from Venezuela, was ranked 17th overall among international prospects by MLB Pipeline. The Angels signed him to a $2 million bonus, the largest of any of the players signed on Wednesday.
Davalillo, 17, is 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, and he has the potential to be a 25-home run hitter in the majors, according to Baseball America.
The Angels also signed shortstop Yilver De Paula out of the Dominican Republic, inking him to a $900,000 bonus.
The Angels also signed catcher Diego Rondon (Venezuela); outfielders Yelinson Betances (Dominican Republic), Anthony Santa Cruz (Cuba) and Junior Suriel (Dominican Republic); shortstops Yojancel Cabrera (Dominican Republic), Cesar Paredes (Dominican Republic) and José Santana (Dominican Republic); left-handed pitchers Sebastian Caseres (Venezuela) and Freddy Hernandez (Venezuela); and right-handed pitchers Wilner Berroteran (Venezuela), Steven Cabrera (Dominican Republic), Juan Jordan (Venezuela), Miguel Liendo (Dominican Republic), Albert Morel (Dominican Republic), Javier Rodriguez (Venezuela) and Felix Tapia (Dominican Republic).
International players can sign after they turn 16, so these players will all spend at least the next several years in the minors.